EC steps up humanitarian aid for the Middle East

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The European Commission (EC) has adopted a decision to provide €13 million in additional support to vulnerable populations in the Middle East, stated a press release.

Activities will include the provision of food, water, emergency health care, and job opportunities for vulnerable Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip; health care, water and sanitation services to Palestinian refugees in Lebanon health services for refugees from Iraq hosted in camps in Jordan and in the "no-man's land" between Jordan and Iraq. The funds are directed through the Commission's Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO).

The current decision will provide jobs for more than 10,000 refugees for up to nine months, indirectly benefiting more than 50,000. Furthermore, water supply systems will be rehabilitated at the Narh El Bared refugee camp in Lebanon, which accommodates 30,000 refugees. Lastly, the UN Office for the co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) will receive funds to continue its information and coordination activities.

The Commission's humanitarian support for victims of the Middle East crisis has risen since the start of the second Intifada, from €15 million in 2000 to €38 million this year. ECHO's assistance to the Palestinians since September 2000 now amounts to €118 million. Projects funded under this decision will be implemented by UN and Red Cross agencies, and Non Governmental Organizations. — (menareport.com)